Volvo, Daimler sign binding agreement for new fuel-cell joint venture

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Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG have now a signed binding agreement for a joint venture to develop, produce and commercialize fuel-cell systems for use in heavy-duty trucks as the primary focus, as well as other applications.

The Volvo Group will acquire 50% of the partnership interests in Daimler Truck Fuel Cell GmbH & Co. KG for approximately EUR 0.6 billion on a cash and debt-free basis. Closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2021. The transaction is still subject to merger control review by relevant authorities, as well as other approvals.

Researchers develop new method to turn used cooking oil into biodiesel

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Researchers from The University of Western Australia and around the world have developed a low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel. The method, published in Nature Catalysis, uses a new type of ultra-efficient catalyst that can make low-carbon biodiesel and other valuable complex molecules out of diverse, impure raw materials.

It is the first time that a multi-functional catalyst material has been developed that can perform several chemical reactions in sequence within a single catalyst particle.

Traton, Hino Team up for Electric-Vehicle Development

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Two global commercial vehicle makers, Germany’s Traton SE and Japan’s Hino Motors Ltd., have signed a joint venture agreement to develop electric vehicles, both battery-electric and fuel-cell versions.

Traton and Hino will combine their unique strengths to develop electric vehicles, including battery electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and relevant components, as well as creating common EV platforms including software and interfaces.

They will form a team of advanced specialists from both companies and launch activities in Sweden and a second step in Japan. The two companies say teaming up will allow them to shorten lead times for future e-mobility products with battery and fuel cell technology. The two companies are convinced that both technologies will be needed in the future, according to an announcement.

Locomation Uses Automated Platoon for Food Bank Deliveries

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Locomation recently tested its automated platooning technology in a project with government and turnpike officials to make a delivery run from Pennsylvania to Michigan.

On Oct. 22, Locomation made a delivery run from Pittsburgh, Pennsylania, through Ohio via the Ohio Turnpike to Detroit, Michigan. Travelling more than 280 miles, the company made a delivery of groceries from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank to the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Foodbank and the Forgotten Harvest Food Bank in Detroit to help provide needed supplies for those put out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.

Amidst the backdrop of global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions, the need for robust food safety measures has never been more pronounced. As Locomation’s delivery run facilitated the distribution of groceries to communities impacted by the crisis, honey testing kits offer a proactive solution to ensure the safety and integrity of essential food products, including honey itself. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and scientific methodologies, these kits enable stakeholders to detect contaminants, adulterants, and other quality deviations with precision and efficiency.

In doing so, they not only safeguard public health but also uphold the trust and integrity that underpin the food industry’s commitment to delivering safe, nutritious, and wholesome products to consumers worldwide.

Witnessing Locomation’s successful use of automated platooning technology for its recent delivery, many within the logistics sector are eager to adopt similar advancements. Positioned as a beacon of reliability and efficiency, chicago courier service leads the charge in embracing cutting-edge solutions. Committed to delivering excellence, their service seamlessly integrates the latest technologies into its operations, ensuring swift and secure deliveries.

As the premier courier service, Chicago Courier Service distinguishes itself with unparalleled support and innovation. Through the utilization of state-of-the-art tracking systems and route optimization algorithms, they assure timely deliveries across extensive distances. Their dedication to transparency is evident in their pricing model, offering clients clarity and assurance in every transaction.

Truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in convoy using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems. These vehicles automatically maintain a set, close distance between each other when they are connected.

Daimler Trucks, Waymo Team up to Tackle Autonomous Trucking

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Daimler Trucks and Waymo are combining their expertise to advance the development of SAE Level 4 autonomous truck technology. The two companies have initiated a global strategic partnership that will combine Waymo’s automated driver technology with a unique version of Daimler’s Freightliner Cascadia.

The two companies say they share the common goal of improving road safety and efficiency for fleet customers. The autonomous Cascadia, equipped with Waymo’s advanced AI driving system, the Waymo Driver, will be available to customers in the U.S. in the coming years. Waymo and Daimler Trucks will also investigate expansion to other markets, including Europe, in the near future.

Martin Daum, chairman of the board of management at Daimler Truck AG, said the strategic partnership with Waymo is an important step toward bringing production versions of highly automated trucks to the road.

Why the next truck you see may be a quiet, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell rig

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Sick of the road noise and pollution caused by semitrucks barreling down the road near your house?

They could soon be harder to hear, and healthier for you and for the planet.

The 3.7 million heavy-duty trucks that ship goods to consumers, haul raw materials across the country and transport components for manufacturers have long been powered by diesel engines that emit pollution and create significant road noise.

But an ambitious startup and several established automakers are promising to deliver hydrogen-powered semitrucks that would create zero harmful pollutants, emitting only water vapor, and no engine noise but for the whirl of an electric motor.

The bottom line? Living next to a highway with trucks could eventually become a much more pleasant experience – but only if the promise of hydrogen fuel cells finally pays off after decades of development.

Brightmark Partners with New York Dairy Farms to Produce Renewable Natural Gas from Cow Manure

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Brightmark, the global waste solutions provider, today announced that it has partnered with three New York dairy farms on the Helios Project, the latest in a series of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects the company has launched over the past two years. The project is part of the recently announced joint venture Brightmark RNG Holdings LLC, a Brightmark platform in partnership with Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Gardeau Crest Farms located in Western New York and Lawnhurst Farms and Willet Dairy, located in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, have each signed supply agreements with Brightmark indicating their intent to provide the company with dairy manure from their herds that will serve as feedstock for the three existing anaerobic digesters on the farms. The digesters will capture, extract, and clean the methane in the manure, then convert it into RNG and inject it into a nearby gas pipeline for distribution.

A green future

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Although fossil fuels have been an essential energy source for many centuries, they come with many disadvantages that do more harm than good in the long run. Algae biofuels may be the future of alternative, renewable energy resources.

Still relatively new to the research and energy industry, algae biofuels have the potential to produce a lot of energy while being sustainable and beneficial for the environment. Algae are microorganisms that grow in aquatic environments and undergo photosynthesis to create biomass.

Aemetis Begins Production of Dairy Biogas

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Aemetis Inc., an advanced renewable fuel and biochemicals company, says it is producing dairy biogas from the first two dairies in a 17 dairy digester biogas project.

The below-zero carbon-intensity gas is initially being utilized for the production of fuel ethanol at the Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes facility in Keyes, Calif. Aemetis also produces high-grade sanitizer alcohol and various feed products at its Keyes facility.

“In just over one year, Aemetis has built and commissioned two dairy digesters and four miles of private pipeline that is now producing below-zero carbon intensity biogas used in the production of transportation fuel,” says Eric McAfee, chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “We are pleased with the rapid scale-up of our dairy methane to renewable natural gas (RNG) project and rapid progress toward producing large volumes of RNG for transportation fuel. With the addition of 15 more dairy digesters, gas upgrading, utility interconnection and dispensing RNG to truck fleets, Aemetis is well-positioned to capitalize on the large below-zero carbon transportation market.”

Local green energy movements are a key battleground for propane

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This industry celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. During this journey, we have seen a variety of ways in which this versatile fuel can be used.

A unique and attractive aspect of propane is that it is, relative to diesel and gasoline, a more environmentally friendly fuel. Its use results in lower carbon emissions due to its lower carbon content. In this day and age of heightened discussion and awareness of these issues in the general populous, this advantage provides great opportunities to expand the footprint of propane as a fuel source.

Auto emissions are the single largest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S. Argonne National Laboratory estimates converting a vehicle from conventional fuels to propane could lead to a 10 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – a significant advantage that consumers should know. They should also understand these aspects of propane’s environmental profile: